FLORA sadly passed away peacefully on January 20, aged 96, mum to Michael and Ian.

Many residents of Farnham will have known her as Sister Venables of Farnham Health Centre, until her retirement in the late 1980s.

Born in July 1925, Flora was raised in Warrington, Lancashire, where she excelled in her school work, attaining several prizes.

It was always her wish to become a nurse and luckily the headmistress of her school knew the matron of a local hospital, who arranged for Flora’s training to commence in Leicester Hospital and Market Bosworth Infirmary.

The latter was an imposing mansion house, with large rooms, oak panelling and a very large fireplace – all of which were described in great detail to me by my mum.

It is now the Bosworth Hall Hotel and several years ago, mum and I made the trip back to her early training location to see this stunning building in all its glory, enabling me to actually see the subjects of her tales.

Nurse Smith, as she was then, transferred to Farnham Hospital to continue her training. During this time, a patient was admitted who had a altercation on his bike with a bus. Understandably he came out second best, and it transpired this was Arthur, to whom Flora was to get engaged.

However, Arthur had to wait until Flora had finished her training, which she did by attaining her State Registered Nurse (SRN) qualification, before they got married in May 1947. Arthur and Flora were married for 62 years before Arthur passed away in 2010.

After having her two sons, Flora returned to work at a nursing home in Lower Bourne until one day a visiting doctor asked her if she would like to act as holiday relief for three weeks at Farnham Health Centre, which she accepted and ended up staying for 22 years until her retirement.

Both Flora and Arthur enjoyed a very active retirement, being members of several dance clubs in the local area and were very keen on Caravan Club meetings.

Flora dedicated her life to helping others through her nursing career. She received many accolades during this time from medical staff and patients, and really cherished the friendship of all of those she knew both personally and professionally.

I know she will be sorely missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Flora’s funeral will be held at Aldershot Crematorium at 10.45am next Monday (February 28). All are welcome.

By Ian Venables, Flora’s son